The public is encouraged to contact them through telephone, email or other electronic means. “Persons exhibiting COVID-like symptoms are strictly prohibited from entering” the building. “Where in-person business cannot be avoided, appointments are required with physical distancing in place.” People “are required to wash or sanitize their hands before and after entry … Floor markings are provided identifying traffic flow and directing visitors where to stand when approaching front desk(s).” The Strathcona Regional District reopens its corporate office today.
At the June 10, 2020, board meeting, Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch explained, “The province has encouraged local governments to have a procedural and policy plan, for opening up, that follows the four steps government has outlined. We are in phase two and the province is encouraging us to bring services to the 60% level for the next twelve months. It is also recommended, through legal counsel, that these policies and procedures should be endorsed by the board. It is my understanding that the local governments in our area – Campbell River, Comox and Courtenay – will be bringing their policies and procedures to their boards and [legal] counsels this week as well.”
The SRD’s Service Restoration Plan was adopted, with no opposing votes.
At The SRD’s Front Desk
People can now pay their utility bills at the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) front desk “through preferred touchless transactions (i.e. credit or debit).”
“Planning applications, such as official community plan and zoning amendments, development permits, development variance permits, as well as new building permit applications continue to be processed.”
“Building Inspections are provided where required public health directives can be met.”
SRD Outdoor Facilities Open/Opening
All SRD Trails, Parks, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Skateparks, and Outdoor Fitness Equipment are open to the public. This includes the Cortes Island Skatepark and Blenkin Park Tennis/Basketball Courts & Skatepark on Quadra.
A few minutes before the board passed the Service Restoration Plan, Regional Director Brenda Leigh pointed out that there is still caution tape around the swing set at Hagel Park, in her area.
“I just don’t understand why some of the equipment is restored already and some is not,” she said.
Mr Leitch replied that things like this will disappear after the plan is adopted.
Strathcona Gardens Reopening
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Centre will soon reopen.
“Staff are currently working on plans to gradually restart some services as soon as possible. The Commission has provided direction in principle to support the opening of one ice surface, the Rod Brind’Amour arena, when all parameters to support the operation have been put in place. The aquatic amenities will be considered later this summer for a possible fall opening, with the caveat that if any additional information comes forward, we can reassess those decisions,” said Andy Adams, Strathcona Gardens Commission Chair.
Where To Pay Your Taxes
People who need to pay their taxes in person can do this at the Service BC Centre, 115-1180 Ironwood Street, Campbell River.
No Public Hearings
At the May 27th board meeting, it was decided that, “all public hearings in relation to matters covered by Part 14 [Planning and Land Use Management] of the Local Government Act be deferred until after September 7, 2020.”
The public hearings of three major projects were consequently postponed:
- the proposed community firehall at 1525 West Road, Heriot Bay, on Quadra Island.
- the proposed BC Ferries berth at at 733 Pidcock Road on Quadra Island.
- the proposed 22 unit affordable housing development, known as Rainbow Ridge, on Cortes Island. As a result of this delay, the project will not be able to apply for a $2 million grant being offered by BC Housing this year.
(Click here to access more articles about this deferment and how it ignores a provincial order, the advise of SRD staff and the opinions expressed by several SRD directors who could not vote on this matter as it fell within the mandate of the Electoral Areas Services Committee.)
It is not yet certain if or how this decision affects the proposed zoning amendment for Quadraponics Cannabis, on Quadra Island. This application has not yet reached the public hearing stage and is currently being reviewed by “staff, the Area Director (Jim Abram) and the applicant.”
SRD Board Meetings
SRD Board meetings will continue to be held virtually.
Recordings of these meetings are available to the public. There has been a marked improvement in the speed with which these recordings are being put up. Audio records of the last two meetings, May 27 and June 10, appeared on the SRD website the day after the meetings.
Going Forward
Phase 3 of the reopening plan is expected to start sometime in September.
Parks & Trails Services
- “Schedule limited size/scope park volunteer activities if appropriate.”
Recreation Services
- “Recreation programming and facility booking where physical distancing can not be maintained.”
SRD Corporate Office (Campbell River)
- “Continued operations with modified service levels
- Limited walk-in services subject to physical distancing protocols
- Increased sanitization of public areas as service levels increase
- Board and committee meetings continued with combination of remote technology and physical attendance, webcasting of meetings wherever feasible.”
Top photo credit: Screenshot from cover of the SRD’s Service Restoration Plan